Green technology is the key to good interior design

(Editor’s note: With Labor Day approaching on Monday, September 2, we at Westfair thought it was a good time to reintroduce you to some of our columnists who also work as small business owners. Meet Cami Weinstein of Cami Weinstein Designs LLC.)

As global warming and torrential storms show, we are feeling the effects of climate change. But we can take steps to mitigate these effects in our homes.

When designing a home, we not only consider aesthetics, but also the different ways design can make the home safer and more energy efficient. When renovating or building your home, consider energy-saving features such as solar panels, an instantaneous water heater, heated bathroom floors, and LED lighting.

Replacing old windows with new, tightly sealed ones helps prevent drafts, keeping the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Light-filtering curtains and solar shades come in many beautiful textures and patterns and are your first line of defense against the sun’s rays and heat. They can also keep you warm in the winter. You can add other decorative elements on top, but many patterns can serve as stand-alone window treatments.

Take the time to review everything you want to add to your renovation and decorating. This may add a few extra hours to your schedule, but it will be worth it.

Once you’ve completed the seriously needed home improvements, you can move on to furnishing your home. Today, there are plenty of trends: lots of performance fabrics and absolutely gorgeous indoor and outdoor rugs. You’d never know they’re a design workhorse. While a bit more expensive than other choices, they can wear better and last longer, making them well worth the extra bucks. We often use them for homes with children and pets, both of which can put a strain on your furniture. Above all, we believe in comfortable homes—homes that you enjoy being in and that make you feel good and happy. With all the innovations available, your home can be beautiful, comfortable, and environmentally friendly.

With over 30 years of experience, Cami Weinstein Designs LLC offers custom interior design services. We listen to your design needs, create interiors that are unique to you and fit your lifestyle, and execute those designs with a team of licensed professionals.

Our design style ranges from traditional classic to modern and often mixes vintage and modern pieces, creating a more transitional mix. We love texture and color, creating pieces that you will never want to leave. We love artwork and incorporate it into many of our projects. Above all, we love creating spaces that stand the test of time and are not too trendy but still interesting. When designing, we consider the style of the home or apartment you own as part of the design equation so that the design fits in perfectly.

With offices in Manhattan and East Hampton, we work primarily in the metropolitan area, having started in Chappaqua in 1993 before moving to Greenwich in 2015. But we also go further afield and have worked in Arizona and California. Our current projects include properties in New York City, East Hampton and Quogue on Long Island, and Los Angeles. We would be delighted to meet with you to discuss your design needs and how to create interiors that are uniquely yours.

Westfair interior design columnist Cami Weinstein earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in painting and printmaking and worked as an art director for Royal Copenhagen before going freelance in 1993. To schedule an appointment, call 914-447-6904 or email [email protected].